Sick Of Seeing The Dropped Chain Incident
 

Versus is back showing the dropped chain incident, while subtly suggesting that perhaps Contador did something wrong. Gimme a break. There is only two reasons a person drops a chain: rider error or team mechanic's error. In this case it seemed to be rider's error. Either way, the rider does not deserve any special sympathy. Contador and the others were absolutely correct to press their advantage. JMO.

Versus is trying to foster the Contador is the bad guy of the peloton angle. The controversy helps them with viewership. Most of the LA fanboys have thrown their allegiance to Andy Schleck because of it. They will run it completely into the ground. But they'll never ask why the chain dropped or mention that Andy was actually on the attack when it happened.

I think the Lance fanboys hate AC b/c of the 2009 war of words. And so AS is the natural heir apparent - even though in terms of dedication, intensity, ability to soak up pressure and desire to win, AC is a lot more like Lance than Andy will ever be.

And on a side note - I really dont like Team Lay-O-pard.

That team is too full of itself (ala Sky last year) and Cancellara may be one hell of a great rider but is also one whiny d**che (I lost all respect for him after listening to him slagging off on Van Summeren this year, and after his constant "poor me, the other guys ganged up on me and didnt let me time trial to a win" complaining in the Classics).

As far as personalities go, I'd much rather root for guys like Gilbert (doesnt say much, lets his leg do the talking), Contador (same as Gilbert) & Thor (he lost the green in last year's Tour b/c Cancellara decides to cancel the race to help Andy, and yet he didnt complain in public). And I have a soft spot for Petacchi, who doesnt have the horsepower to compete with Cav and yet manages to get in a few wins based on wiles alone. Still hoping he gets one this Tour!

So long as we have to see it over and over and over and over again, I propose that we change the name of the incident. Candidates:

- "The Failed Attack"
- "The SRAM Shifter Failure"

Leopard TREK changed to Shimano for 2011. But note that Andy dropped a Shimano chain in the Tour of California. I think it's not really SRAM's fault. Perhaps Andy needs to go to his LBS for shifting lessons.

I really enjoy Versus coverage for the most part, but this really irritates me as well. It doesn't help that at the cafe where I watch a lot of people are exhibiting exactly the reaction Versus is looking for.

I am not "for" or "against" Contador at all, but if people want to not like him, they should at least not like him for valid reasons.

Successful troll is successful. Manufacturing drama is always a part of attracting viewers.

The only thing that bothers me is that Schleck considers himself an equal to a guy who has won SIX grand tours.

It's not bad luck, it's not poor sportsmanship, it's not fate. You don't shift your bike properly, you can't time trial, you don't ride with a grain of gusto or style. It's not the bike, it's not Contador, it's you.

+1

It's the Lance Fan Boys trying to rile up the Contador Chamois Sniffers
and, my god, it's working O.o

Dude, Pel-O-ton arrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh.

In reality, Schleck isn't in the class of Basso or Menchov yet. He has potential, but he should win a grand tour yet. I think he should shoot for a Giro or Vuelta first. His whole season is based upon winning the TdF. Pretty grandiose visions. Problem with that, the whole season is a failure if you don't win the one race. For all the talk about Contador not being tactically sound, he's the one who has come through with the wins. Schleck was the one to make the critical mistake.

My bad, bro. Just typing to fast.

I wonder if Schleck is using this this year:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=209954

^^ I think he is. Saw something on Velonews to that effect.

Apparently, it's not working. He dropped a chain at the Tour of California.

And yes, he again got that "they just napalmed my village" look on his face.

Did the entire race come to a halt then and did his competitors help him put the chain back on?

Not a Lance fanboy, but what is VS trying to do? Build a rivalry to hopefully build up ratings. Let's hope they can as I would like VS to continue coverage.

I am a fan of AC, but hated to see the race won the way it was. I don't think he did anything wrong, and AS attacked on the cobbles, so fair play, but still the winning margin was the same as the time he gained from the dropped chain. Add to that AC did not win a stage last year although he could have taken the last mountain stage, but he let Andy have it. What I don't like is AC saying I didn't know AS dropped his chain and had to get off of the bike. Of course he knew. Just say that's racing.

I also like AS I like the fact he is not scared to attack, which is refreshing. Just like to see a shootout like last year.

R

The entire promo for today's first mountain stage in the Pyrenees is the dropped chain incident!

Yep, gotta be a story line, but imo, it makes bicycle racing seem like a sport for whiners and crybabies.

Didn't Andy also have subsequent problems that day? Slipping off the pedal or something similar after the chain drop? I could easily be gretting things confused with some other incidents, but if I am remembering clearly then today (stage 12) was a bit of a replay. He flats and then has subsequent problems almost falling off his bike. Of course the Vrs. anouncers totally ignored it, but he camera caught i. If it had been AC you know they would ahve been all over it.

Should we start calling him Andy Poulidor? I'm betting that Contidor gets the 8 total Grand Tour wins to hold up his end of that deal.

Failed at SRAM, failed at Shimano...Microshift, you are next!

On a similar note, I'm sick of the really uncreative Spanish beef jokes and alterations of the name "Contador" to imply involvement with cheating or Clenbuterol. I'm not ignorant of the facts, but I am annoyed by constant failed attempts at humor. It's the same reason I dislike Jay Leno.

At least Poulidor won a grand tour. If you're into name-calling, you could start calling them Cadel Schleck and Andy Evans, but it might be best to wait until they retire.

Was I the only one yelling at the TV, telling Contador to attack 30k from the finish today when Andy had a flat front tire? :p

I saw this too, what in the world is wrong with "the beak"?? Second year in a row with problems in his bike? I dont know If you guys noticed but both Schlecks were telling some stuff to contador, did anybody notice??

Maybe they were discussing tactics betweens themselves in German. I suspect that is what you saw.

R

Yea I saw Andy had a flat. He really sucks.

R